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Bulldogs come up short against Ontonagon

HANCOCK — It is hard to complete a comeback and win a basketball game of any sort when you go 1-for-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

Hancock Bulldogs boys basketball coach Matt Strong was left scratching his head after his team battled their way back in the second half against the Ontonagon Gladiators only to fall 64-61.

“(It was a) tough battle all the way,” said Strong. “Our ball movement was very good tonight. The boys played hard all the way through and never gave up. (I was) very proud of them.

“Free throws cost us. (We went) 1-for 6 down the stretch.”

To make matters worse, the Bulldogs were 3-for-9 on the night from the charity stripe.

Peyton Anderson did his best for the Bulldogs to match the efforts of Ed Polakowski as the two combatants went toe-to-toe all night with both finishing with 24 points.

Strong was impressed by the efforts of the Gladiators’ top scorer.

“Polakowski really played well for them,” he said. “We needed to limit his touches better.”

Henry Menigoz added 12 points for the visitors, including nine points from threes.

“We just let their shooters get too good of looks at times,” said Strong.

Ontonagon 15 17 13 19 – 64

Hancock 9 20 16 16 – 61

ONT: Polakowski 24, Soumis 7, Buzzo 7, Walters 8, Menigoz 12, Labine 6; Fouls: 14; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Menigoz 3, Soumis 2, Buzzo 1

HCH: Watson 2, Chynoweth 10, Aho 6, Raasio 15, Anderson 24, Bal 4; Fouls: 14; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Anderson 3, Raasio 3, Chynoweth 1, Aho 1

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